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December 20, 2016

Local Basketball Star Helps Youth Develop Career Skills

Basketball fans know the name Eric “Sleepy” Floyd. The Gaston County native, Georgetown All-American and NBA All-Star, built a lauded career on the court, but it’s the work he’s doing now that he wants the Charlotte community to know about.

“There is a great need in our community to equip our kids, even as young as middle school, with job searching skills that will help them interview, network, and most importantly, build a resume. It’s an often-overlooked part of many school curriculums, but can often be the key factor that builds confidence heading into college or even trying to get a part-time job while in school.”

Floyd is now the President of JobsyWobsy, a nationwide teen-focused organization that is focused on preparing students for a work environment. The quirky name often elicits many questions, and many times gives adults pause, but its founder is quick to remind people that the organization is not for them.

“We tested the name out and kids often smiled at it and were always quick to remember it,” said Jason Morin, JobsyWobsy founder and a career educator. “It’s also a way for us to differentiate from the multitude of career-focused websites out there. We’re different and we wanted a name that reflected that.”

The cornerstone of JobsyWobsy is its free website that enables middle to high school students to create a resume online. The organization runs career skill sessions at schools around the country and now, with Floyd’s network, it will be ramping up in the Charlotte area. JobsyWobsy just hosted nearly 150 students at Queens University of Charlotte, with students from Myers Park High School and Hunter Huss High School (Floyd’s alma mater). These workshops demonstrate the need for kids to be involved and see their extracurricular activities as applicable in the workplace.

“Once kids put their experience on paper, we often see them eager to take advantage of more opportunities because they see the value of those activities as it relates to their future,” said Floyd.

A constant focus on “what’s next” drove Floyd to be one of the best in basketball and it’s a mantra he stresses with JobsyWobsy kids.

“I attended a basketball camp in the ninth grade with 500 other kids. Press Maravich came to talk to us about our future and I’ll never forget that day. He looked at us and said, ‘Out of the hundreds of kids here today, one of you, one of you may have the chance to make it to the NBA.’ I remember thinking to myself, I hope it’s me,” he said. “At that moment, I put everything I had into giving myself the best chance to make it to that goal. It’s the same with these kids. If we can teach them to set that goal, whether it’s college, to get a job in college or get a job in high school, they can line up everything they do — all their activities, their classes — behind that goal.”

JobsyWobsy holds job fairs for high school and college students, connecting them with major companies. At a recent fair in Raleigh, the organization placed several students with part-time jobs at Microsoft, Coca-Cola and the Raleigh Fire Department. These fairs are another great way for them to involve the broader community. Their work is always free to the students—that’s why they need funding. They’re asking donors and the Charlotte business community to lend support in their efforts to bring more trainings to schools in our area.

What Can You Do to Help?

You can support JobsyWobsy by donating any amount through uBack — via web or smartphone — anywhere and anytime. Here’s how: